Aries: Gothic books, a piano in the dark, glitter on the floor, a friend lost, a lover unmasked, a crime observed, the hush just before twilight, the hush just before a kiss, black tea laced with longing, a white dress in the moonlight
Taurus: 50’s love songs on repeat, feeling like you’re living in a film noir, a bouquet of red roses, the dreamiest of evenings, a question met only with silence, a ferry ride, the gift of a necklace, hospital loneliness, meeting someone you’ll love for the rest of your life
Gemini: Late night pubs, Irish music, a lucky break, a spring to remember, breaking up and then getting back together, wandering a castle, pushing him too far, reconnecting with a former roommate, falling asleep to the sound of thunder, be sure to talk to that person next to you on the airplane
Cancer: A sunrise with a loved one, planting a garden, popping champagne, a celebrity sighting, rabbits will bring you luck, a long hallway, strawberry ice cream, laughter at brunch, silver sandals, a call from a lost friend, a wedding
Leo: Pancakes at a diner, a new job, starfish, staring at a painting, a cousin, an unanswered text, hearing her swear under her breath, meeting your Daisy, sleeping in too late, a gold anklet, a seaside town, watch out for whispers
Virgo: A boy in plaid, doubting a death, an apple tree, spilled wine, a mystery to solve before you can continue, wishing to go back, a blizzard, lighting a bonfire, a Siamese cat, breaking a resolution, going up to the attic
Libra: A girl with an umbrella, a cemetery, watching the world from a rooftop, an island, hasty decisions, meeting your doppelganger, a favorite song from your childhood, cherry pie, waking up in the countryside, don’t trust James
Scorpio: A phone call at 2am, a dove, pine trees, a fish caught, a night kiss under a streetlamp, storm clouds, insomnia, an unspoken agreement, a pet lost, a secret heard, fresh baked bread, unfamiliar bed sheets, dyed hair, watching the sun set over the water
Sagittarius: Rose-covered wallpaper, a walk through a snowstorm, goodbye forever whispered at the airport, sending apology flowers, tottering home in heels at 3am, an apartment in Seattle, a tattoo, newfound optimism, tears on blue tile, meeting your Mr. Big, a red bathing suit
Capricorn: A kite, a fortune teller, seeing a ghost, a fist full of lilacs, long walks through the woods, singing a lullaby, visiting a new country, a tire swing, letting go of a secret you’ve kept for too long, a white Christmas
Aquarius: Ice skating, too much caffeine, falling asleep in a book, remembering your mother’s words, a train ride, going back to him, standing up for yourself, a violin in the dusk, speakeasies, pressed flowers, asleep under the stars, big blue eyes begging
Pisces: A parrot, overwhelming jealousy, whiskey by the fire, talking until the sun comes up, dancing under the moon, a haunted room, a love letter, an unanswered text, picking wildflowers, a broken bone, a new home
one: pay attention to the music you’re relating to. sometimes it’s a clear indicator that something is wrong. other times, it’s an indicator that something is very, very right. when the latter happens, pay extra close attention.
two: true control is subtle, not obsessive. you may not even know that you have it when you do. people who are in control do not question it. they just are.
three: never pass up the opportunity to stick the tips of your fingers out the window of a moving car. feel the wind carry you to the sound of your favorite songs. this is a reminder that you’re alive.
four: thoughts don’t have to mean anything. you can just let them be there.
five: notice when you’re struggling and allow yourself some leeway when you do. however, learn the difference between giving yourself leeway and enabling your struggle.
six: you cannot build self-love from a foundation of self-hatred. first, work toward self-acceptance. love will follow.
seven: do not love others simply because they love you back. do not expend your love on people who won’t love you back.
eight: don’t forget to stop and look around. take a moment a day to stop doing and just be. the mindfulness hype isn’t overrated. there’s a reason for it.
nine: setting limits and saying no will not end any relationship worth keeping.
ten: friendships built on moments of competitive misery are not healthy. if you find that you’re having the urge to constantly showcase your misery around someone, take that as a red flag. sadness is not a competition you want to win.
eleven: recovery is not about being happy. some days you will feel bored and flat. but these days are still better than those you built around destroying yourself. these days are still victories. recovery is about being alive.
twelve: when you’ve built an identity around being sad, the concept of happiness may scare you. giving that sadness up will strip you of most everything and leave you feeling empty. embrace this emptiness and fill it up with exploration. you’ll find that it’s worth it.
thirteen: you will not come out of your coldest days the same as you were going into them. this is not a bad thing. someday, you’ll be warm enough to feel the sun on your face again.
